Kurdish authorities in Rojava impose partial lockdown amid coronavirus spike
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Authorities in northeast Syria (Rojava) announced on Tuesday a ten-day partial lockdown due to a rise in coronavirus cases. Schools and border crossings will not be affected.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (NES) said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that a partial lockdown will be imposed for ten days, beginning on Friday.
"All big markets and public toilets will be closed during the lockdown except for shops and places which sell essentials, which will be closed after 3pm,” said the NES.
It added that restaurants will only be allowed to provide food via delivery.
Wearing face masks in public areas remains compulsory and the violators will be fined, authorities say. Schools, universities and institutes as well as border crossings remain open.
Rojava has recorded comparatively low coronavirus numbers, with limited testing capacity. Only two cases were recorded in April which was followed by a lockdown and travel restrictions. It did not report any other case until late July.
Rojava’s health board has recorded a total of 3,948 cases of the virus. Of this, 687 have recovered and 115 died.
The only testing devices in Rojava are provided by the Kurdistan Region’s President Nechirvan Barzani.
Even prior to the pandemic, Rojava’s health sector was in dire shape, having been deprived of international aid.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (NES) said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that a partial lockdown will be imposed for ten days, beginning on Friday.
"All big markets and public toilets will be closed during the lockdown except for shops and places which sell essentials, which will be closed after 3pm,” said the NES.
It added that restaurants will only be allowed to provide food via delivery.
Wearing face masks in public areas remains compulsory and the violators will be fined, authorities say. Schools, universities and institutes as well as border crossings remain open.
Rojava has recorded comparatively low coronavirus numbers, with limited testing capacity. Only two cases were recorded in April which was followed by a lockdown and travel restrictions. It did not report any other case until late July.
Rojava’s health board has recorded a total of 3,948 cases of the virus. Of this, 687 have recovered and 115 died.
The only testing devices in Rojava are provided by the Kurdistan Region’s President Nechirvan Barzani.
Even prior to the pandemic, Rojava’s health sector was in dire shape, having been deprived of international aid.